September 30, 2005

Urgent Need To Face Reality

So says my liberal, Democrat, congressman.

SMART Democrats are going to come out of the hurricane relief project and concomitant budget battle very well. Leader Pelosi has already scored 100 points with her agreement to defer $70 million in highway earmarks for her district.

Is it all political? Hell yes. But it's damn good politics, much better than I have come to expect from the House Minority Leader.

Rep Mark Udall (yup, one of those Udalls) has launched his Senate bid in earnest today. He seeks Senator Allard's seat in 2006. And this is good rhetoric in Colorado. Damn good:

Rep. Mark Udall has joined Republican budget hawks on legislation that would give the White House new authority to pare congressional spending bills.

His measure is meant to make up for the massive federal effort to repair damage from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and to reduce what Udall considers to be wasteful spending.


Our red state will have two blue Senators in the next Congress.

Hat-tip: Insty

Politics Posted by John Kranz at September 30, 2005 3:46 PM

I have been pretty impressed with Mark Udall, he seems like my kind of Democrat, liberal on social issues but reasonably conservative on fiscal ones. I have been getting his email newsletter for several months now and even though I am not sure exactly how I got on his list it has been a good read. Keeps my hope alive for "New New" Democrats to spring up.

Posted by: Silence Dogood at October 3, 2005 12:09 PM

I have been surprised at what a backbencher he has seemed to be.

An ambitious scion of a famed political family, I would think he would be visible, co-sponsoring legislation, &c. Perhaps, considering his Democratic cohorts, that does speak well of him.

I will see if I can get on that mail list, if you have a URL, please forward it.

Posted by: jk at October 3, 2005 3:42 PM

That's right, JK, two blue Senators. The Dems have learned from the experience of 2004: Say whatever the voters want to hear and then when you are in office, legislate a huge tax grab like Referenda C & D. It works even better when the so-called Republicans can be nudged, coaxed, bribed, extorted or brainwashed into going along with it. Yes, I'm talking to YOU governor Owens!

Posted by: johngalt at October 5, 2005 12:57 AM | What do you think? [3]